In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease. In 1998 I created The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore!, and I am the co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of Journal of Gluten Sensitivity.

Celiac.com 12/19/2003 - According to Italian researchers, brief but
recurring bouts of depression and other mood disorders are significantly
more common in those with celiac disease than those without the disorder.
The researchers conducted a study that looked at 36 clinically diagnosed
celiac disease patients and compared them to 144 healthy controls. The
study found that those with celiac disease had "significantly
elevated risks for major depressive disorders," including major
depressive disorders, dysthymic disorders, adjustment disorders and
panic disorders. The researchers suspect malabsorption of tryptophan,
which can lead to a decrease in serotonin synthesis, as a cause for
the elevated mood disorder risk. Another possible cause is the cytokines
which are produced in immune reactions that may exert an effect on brain
circuits related to mood regulation. More studies are necessary to determine
the exact causes.